The Next Step

Before I you begin reading my comment, I don’t necessarily believe you will be doing all of the following. It’s more of a general observation than a critique of your post (yep, 1st paragraph written after 2nd ).
While I agree that too much negativity can be harmful, that shouldn’t limit the enthusiasm for which you write. You can’t let “censorship” keep you from communicating something you feel strongly about. It’s a fine line, but I just make sure whatever I say on the Tech Fridge is something I would tell my boss. I don’t know that my boss reads my blog, and I don’t care, but I write what I feel, and that educated opinion, combined with the ability to accept dissenting opinions, will create posts that will make a difference.

@Josh – “just make sure whatever I say on the Tech Fridge is something I would tell my boss”

I agree this is a positive way to conduct your blog. I also have to account for not only saying it to my boss, but how I say it. Thats the tone I need to work on for future posts.

Im not a very negative person in general but have let the workday frustrations sometimes be evident in my writing so need to rethink my presentation.

Cory: I understand completely. One of my blog readers emailed me a while back to “bring to my attention” the frustration he sensed while reading my blog. As I returned to read my blog from that perspective, I realized he was accurate in his notes to me.

What I want is to be an agent for positive change. What I DON’T want is to be perceived as a maverick who whines too much. So, I took a step back, reflected for a while, took a break from blogging for a month, and then started again. It helped.

And I agree with Josh, too. Because I use my blog to share with other educators when I present, I need to ensure that my web presence is something I would readily share with anyone else in person… even though I have a disclaimer, that doesn’t relieve me of my responsibility as an educator.

Okay… long comment. Sorry. Just know that I enjoy your posts and am here to encourage you to continue!!

Cory,
I hate to sound like a broken record, but you and I were cut from the same cloth. I found myself in a little bit of hot water with my principal and director the my service unit for not phrasing an email in a more professional. Luckily, they are still encouraging me to speak my mind, but have asked me to do so in a more polite manner. (Hummm…..where have I heard this before???)

The most difficult thing for me to do is keep my cool when I am talking about something I am passionate about. My fear is the same as Michelle’s. I want to make positive changes, but I don’t want to come across as demanding and too edgy. It is sooooooo hard for me to put on the breaks because I want changes to happen NOW! We all need to hang in there together and offer support. Isn’t that part of the reason we are part of a PLN?

PS……Did you realize where the three of us who have commented on your blog are from?

@Michelle and Beth – I agree with both of you about positive change. Of course, the changes we are interested in making are positive but not all the routes taken to get those changes can be 100% positive, can they?

I mean, we all feel like we are fighting a system in a sense, and that takes being tough. Sometimes being tough, or standing up for change isn’t always positive. That being said, there is a responsibility to be professional on all levels. As a fairly new teacher (5 years) I’m still learning what those levels are and trying to figure out how to fight right. Or, write right as the title of this post indicates.

I have to admit, our school is doing the best job it has done in the 5 years I’ve been there at holding teachers accountable and really focusing on student achievement. My frustrations came out of wanting even more, but one step at a time, one step at a time….

@ Beth, Im not sure, Iowa?

Cory,
Close………….Nebraska!